Spiritual Warfare Strategies from the Battle of Gettysburg (Originally Published on Intercessors for America)

“I have statistical evidence God is on the move!” encouraged Dave Kubal, IFA President, to over 80 intercessors, pastors, business owners and government leaders at a recent Gatekeepers gathering in Gettysburg, PA. A Friday evening dinner set the tone for a Saturday bus tour of the widespread Gettysburg Battlefield.

Gettysburg is a town synonymous with death, so it’s no surprise that necromancy and occult activity are in abundance there. But intercessors came energized and confident, sensing that America is in a pivotal “time such as this” moment. PA State Prayer Leaders Bill & Betsy West brought forth Joshua 1:9 as the theme of “Strong and Courageous” for the event. As the strong and courageous at the Battle of Gettysburg were remembered, Betsy decreed, “We are all strong and courageous. God will speak to you in your own language. God has a purpose for you.”  Bill directed intercessors to unlock and activate God’s blessings over the land.

Honorably Retired Colonel, Historian, and PA State Senator Doug Mastriano and his wife Rebecca (Rebbie) led an exceptional and unique tour. As they described Civil War details, the providential hand of God interwoven between them was on full display. The Mastrianos also revealed hidden, unsung heroes of the war and battle strategies. Intercessors declared Scripture and prayed at each stop.

The events shared at each site presented the parallels between earthly war tactics and spiritual war tactics. As the Sons of Issachar knew the times and understood the environment, we must do the same. Christians need to spiritually “get our dander up,” as they said in the 19th century.  Victory will not come from a defensive, reactionary position. It will take a proactive, offensive position to win.

In war, occupying key terrain, often the high ground, is critical. “The one who commands the high ground commands the battle,” Senator Mastriano reminded the intercessors. Unity, wisdom, and discernment are all necessary to occupy the high ground; pray those attributes over America and its leaders. Pray for disunity and confusion in the enemy’s camp, for them to be flanked. Declare that Christ and His saints would hold all key terrain and areas of influence, including education, culture, business, government, media, and family. Look to the places where we see the enemy attacking and take back that territory. Pray obedience over Christians—that they will be where they are called to be, when they are called to be there. Declare that the providence of God would be seen.

At a battle site on a hill, a stone monument stands in the shape of a half-dead oak tree. It marks where a temporary yet miraculous ceasefire occurred, all for the sake of saving three baby robins. It is a beautiful reminder of the truth in Matthew 10:29, that not even a sparrow will fall to the ground outside of our Father’s care. God also used other unlikely means to protect life- a pitbull of a woman named Sallie Ann Jarret. Though Sallie Ann was wounded and exhausted, for 3 days she stayed behind to protect the dead and wounded men of her regiment from being eaten alive by pigs. Even through scenes of death and war, the sanctity of life prevailed! Decree that there will be life and that it will be protected and preserved, even where destruction and death abound. Pray that God would continue to use unlikely and unsuspecting means to protect life today. Pray the fruit of the Spirit over America.

The Mastrianos shared stories of innocent civilians suddenly caught in the middle of battle; the evidence of war remains in bullet-battered homes and memorials to pregnant women. Poor wartime decisions rooted in politics and disobedience were made — much like today, lives were destroyed because of it. The testimony of the heartbreak of those considered “collateral damage” still ripples through generations. Declare Psalm 22:27-28, that kingship belongs to the Lord and that He rules over the nations. Pray that the unrepentant wicked would be unseated and that there would be a raising up of Davids. Pray for the shielding of innocent lives from physical and spiritual wars. Lift up women and their voices. Decree that the enemy cannot have our marriages or our families.

“Who commands these men?” The question was yelled over the blaring gunshots and terrible sounds of battle. The voice came from 25-year-old Lt Colonel Rufus Dawes (whose great-grandfather had been a crucial part of the infamous midnight ride alerting minutemen that the British were coming.)  Incredibly, the fighting somehow stopped at the question. The order was then given to surrender and blood was spared. Throughout the battles, blood was shed from disobedience and spared through obedience. Obedience makes room for God to show up. Pray for Christians to be emboldened and encouraged as we remember who commands us. Pray that we will be in the right battles at the right times. Pray for leadership that brings order to chaos. Pray confusion over the camp of the enemy.

Rebbie Mastriano spoke about how the eyes of the world watched Gettysburg. They watched because they knew the outcome of those battles would change the world. The same is true today. The eyes of the world again watch America because they know the outcome of these battles we fight will change the world. Our commanding officer has instructed us to intercede for those in authority, to pray without ceasing. Let us firmly hold the line in our intercession and let us hold it to the last!

Mastriano’s motto of the tour was an encouraging, yet sobering reminder of the significance of our choices: “What you do in life matters! It echoes across generations…and into eternity.”